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Florida Utility Watch, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan
organization operated exclusively to benefit customers of Florida's regulated utilities, and
similar companies, including cable television, wireless and other
communication media.
Our goal is to protect Florida
consumers of electric, telephone, water, sewer, cable television and other
utility services from unfair rate increases and declining quality of
service. To do this, we intend to "level the playing field"
between consumers and utilities at the Florida Legislature and the Florida
Public Service Commission ("PSC"). We need your help to do this.
For years, the utilities' huge campaign contributions have often
appeared to influence the passage of legislation adverse to you. We'll give
you examples of their contributions, as well as of industry gifts,
entertainment and lobbying expenses that have benefited your elected
politicians. We'll also show you how you can easily find out how much money
your elected officials have received from these industries, or any special
interest group. We think you might be shocked by how large the
contributions and lobbying expenses are. We'll show you how your officials
have voted on utility laws in the past and keep you informed on how they
are voting now.
The higher utility rates and lower quality of service you're
experiencing are also a result of utility regulators being politically
unaccountable to you. You were deprived of an elected PSC in 1978, against
the wishes of a majority of the public. We believe the utility industry was
behind the loss of the elected PSC and that the industry was given a free
hand in writing the laws governing the current appointed and mostly
unaccountable PSC. One of the former legislators most responsible for
eliminating the elected PSC has profited greatly from regulated utilities
since 1978. We'll show you how he's profited and by how much.
We will also detail why the appointed PSC is politically unaccountable
and suggest ways to return that accountability to you, the consuming
public. In addition to showing you how the system has failed you in the
past, we plan to make you aware of current utility threats to your budgets,
such as possible utility rate increases and the risk of increased utility
taxes. We'll also tell you why your telephone service is slower and costs
more today and why your lights might go out more often. We'll tell you how
to improve the service you receive.
Please join today and help us help you.
Thank you.
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